As I walked the ticker-taped streets of lower Manhattan on a cold day in February 2008, it was surreal to realize that I was at a championship parade that was not the New York Yankees. Reminding myself this was a football parade, the New York Giants did the impossible and defeated the juggernaut that was the New England Patriots – playing hooky from the 9-5 was well worth it. As you can see I’m a fan of the G-Men. But what I’ve learned from last season is anything is possible. I shitted on “aw-shucks” Eli along with the rest of the critics. But their run last year was highly admired and definitely respected, if or if not you liked them.

In football, there is no seven game series – that “go hard or go home” mentality is in design set up for the upset. For the 2008 season, we wait for the next underdog to emerge on top. Many fantasy leagues have been drafted and on Thursday night once again it begins. Already with headlines such as name change man Chad Ocho Cinco (85 is “ochenta y cinco” by the way), Hurricane Gustav in New Orleans, and the immortal Brett Favre’s “un-retirement,” sky’s the limit I suppose. So before tonight’s kick off party for the new season, Patrick M. & I gave our picks for who will take it in ’09. For the record we’re not excited cause Usher is performing. Natasha Bedingfield must die BTW.

Patrick M’s Picks:

NFC Champ: Philadelphia Eagles

They have an easy ass schedule (last place team,) a good coach, and Brian Westbrook who’s still the most underrated player in the league.

AFC/Super Bowl Champ: New England Patriots

Ok so they lost one stupid game where fate, Brady’s foot, and offensive linemen that have been proven to be snitches were out to get them. And no one has been talking about them this year even though the NFL and ESPN whored them out all year long, simultaneously slamming them and fellating them, capitalizing on idiotic America’s love of a good villain. You think they’re going to just cower up and go away quietly?

They still have the best coach, the best quarterback, the best receivers, and enough pieces on defense to get back to the big game (as well as possibly the easiest schedule in the league.) The Pats will be back and taking the trophy that should have been theirs in Tampa in 2009. They may not go undefeated, but they will provide me, and every other Bostonian an opportunity for redemption, which will be celebrated with a solid “Fuck You,” to haters round the world.

Jason H’s Pick:

NFC Champ: Minnesota Vikings

Call me crazy but I think Tavaris Jackson will brush off those injuries and throw more TD passes this year. But obviously this pick had to do alot with second year RB Adrian Peterson. To snag the top playoff spot however, taking down Philly/Dallas won’t be a cakewalk but I think the will be the New York Giants of this year.

I won’t go into the Patriots as my man Patrick has done so well in breaking that down. For the Chargers, even with the shaky Shawne Merriman their defense is solid especially at the CB spot. Fantasy Draft reigning pick Ladanian Tomlinson is a no-brainer and with tight end Antonio Gates, it won’t be hard to argue otherwise. Phillip Rivers can hang but he is somewhat of a hot head and hopefully another year has made him wiser. Obviously the biggest obstacle would be either be the Pats or the Colts. But they have a squad worthy of matching up with either.

— Brett Favre under the NY media spotlight
— Chad Johnson’s sanity and the distraction for the Bengals.
— How good the Giants are without their starDE’s.
— The next RB Sensation — the Steelers’ Mendenhall or Raiders’ McFadden?
— How will the injuries to Tom Brady & Peyton Manning effect their seasons?

We’re die-hard about music but to many writers here at TSS, same goes for other topics. One dimensional we are not. Enjoy the season.

Join The Discussion

look, okay u don’t understand the french but look that is the lil work of polow da don’s love in this club.
the sound was déjà on the musical program !!!

09.04.08 at 10:42 am

Doug Fresh

Kwame Kilpatrick pleads out ot an F

MAYOR KILPATRICK TO SERVE 120 DAYS IN JAIL, RESIGN
Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will spend 120 days in jail and pay $1 million in restitution. He pleaded guilty this morning to two counts of obstruction of justice. He will serve 5 years of probation and announce his resignation immediately.

Damn…I think everyone shares the same sentiments here:

…it’s so cold in the D ? T Baby

09.04.08 at 10:46 am

Shail

I’ve been waiting for today for 213 days.

09.04.08 at 10:50 am

smizzy

the lady that wants to be your vp said, going to iraq was a task from god……………………………………………………………….

if thats not enough to get everyone out to vote , and watching that hate rally, if thats the change there talking they can keep it.

09.04.08 at 10:52 am

Jaycee

my Lions win it all this year, fuck all that other shit…

i keed…

i think dem Boys might do a little sumthin sumthin in the NFC though…
i’m tired of the Pats, but i would like to see Randy Moss get a ring for his years of suffering in Minneapolis and Oakland (like KG)

09.04.08 at 11:02 am

E

are u ready for some footballllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

09.04.08 at 11:06 am

Uknowho

Motown’s Mayor did a lot while in office ask the hood, the white man never wants 2 keep someone in office that has helped their people, just the mere fact that he can pay the mill makes them upset-lol
But for real D-town streets r fuc’d up and within his term they r doing mad construction all over Motown, they want him out so they can take the credit for the “purification, remodeling, beautifying”-bullshit
Kilpatrick serve ur time then come another round wherever the criminals r welcomed-

ps. that would be somewhere other than the D

Oh yeah and I fucs wit the Colts…

09.04.08 at 11:12 am

Gotty™

Kwame went from hero to goat in rapid fashion.

09.04.08 at 11:19 am

Darius Sinclair?

That the worst thing I’ve heard in a while… ALL of this should’ve happened to Bill Clinton if it happened to Kwame. Dude just lied about having an affair.

Ok ok, so he stole on a security guard and skipped town. But man. This is some BS.

wow…maybe you guys should just stick to music. Football obviously isn’t it.

1. The ‘Eggles’ are a far cry from NFC champs. Their leading WR’s out either indefinately or until further notice is not a good look considering their lack of depth/experience at the position. Westbrook continues to age and McNabb flaunts his child bearing hips. Loss.

2. NYG’s did their thing LAST year. Sort of like when Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl….that’s all I have to say

3. Just because the Saints have Shockey does not make them a threat. Im no Saits expert but maybe you guys know something I dont. I mean the Giants won their bigger games without his ass. Should tell you something.

09.04.08 at 12:21 pm

Tru School

I’ve been happy to see quite a few people pick the Bucs to do something this year. Including ESPN.com and SI. I think the defense is really underrated and they may surprise some people w/ the offense (even though they are really old). The offense that is. The defense has quietly become one of the youngest and most talented in the league the last 3 years. Only time will tell though. I still think it’s funny that an offensive minded coach like Gruden has never had a great offense in Tampa Bay.

09.04.08 at 12:27 pm

Mobstyle

Dallas Cowboys!

09.04.08 at 12:27 pm

Phillmatic "King of Kicks"

Dallas vs. Jacksonville and The Jags stun the boys

49ers are a sleeper. They can win the very lame division

09.04.08 at 1:26 pm

E

Gruden is a piece of shit, he killed the Bucs. dude only won the super bowl cuz tony dungy handed him an incredible team and he had the raiders playbook. i dont see the Bucs doin great this season, altho- i hope they do.

09.04.08 at 1:30 pm

CaliforniaSoul

Phillmatic you are right the 9ers will win the NFC West and make the playoffs. Yes the playoffs. The D is on point now that Manny Lawson is back and healthy. Got Spikes, Clements and the almighty P Willis in his sophomore year and I am only naming a few. With Gore, V. Davis and an accurate QB in O’Sullivan, oh and make sure to watch out for WR Jason Hill, he is going to make some noise this year. The Dynasty looks like it is on it’s way back fellas. Get your tix and jump on the band wagon now before its too late!!

Yo TSS you should have a fan zone or football blog every Tuesday for football season and let us all get our brag swag on. See who ride or die with their team, who falls off and who jumps from team to team?

Win or lose imma die hard 9er fan, season tix and all. You can find me in the end zone under the BIG screen, I will be the one, reaking of Kush with the Grey Goose bottle I snuck in. Happy football season bitches!!

Cali49a 4 Life.

09.04.08 at 1:32 pm

tres

The Giants were dead and buried having started the season 0-2. Shockey didn’t go down until week 15, at which point they were 9-4. Yea he missed the playoffs, but it’s not like he didn’t contribute for the majority of the season.
And Superbowl dynasties is the NFL are the exception, NOT the rule. The vast majority of Superbowl champs DO NOT repeat the next season, so saying the Giants are one and done as far as championships isn’t a huge statement.

09.04.08 at 2:06 pm

Patrick M.

“McNabb flaunts his childbearing hips”

Wow.

Westbrook continues to age…as do we all. You see his stats last year? 1333 yards on 4.8 a carry. 90 catches and 12 Tds. Late start to his career has limited his carries…I think he’ll be ok.

09.04.08 at 2:17 pm

Bigga Aka What A Surprise the Clipse just had another interview where they diss lil wayne LOL

Sleep on the Giants all you want, with an improved secondary; we will see more imaginative Blitz packages. When they double Tuck Mathias K. will do the damage. And I don’t want to hear about the Cowboys until they have won a playoff game under Romo as QB.

09.04.08 at 2:31 pm

Bull

COWWWWWWBOOOOOOOYS!!!

09.04.08 at 2:47 pm

Tru School

I agree completely E. Not to mention we gave up at least a couple of draft picks to get him from the Raiders. That set our rebuilding process back a couple years. I think they oughta hand the team over to Monte Kiffin. Dude is the Bucs. He gets the most out of the players he coaches every year. I don’t see why he hasn’t been a head coach yet. Gruden is alright, but he hasn’t justified what we spent to get him. Maybe he called a few plays differently than Dungy would have the year we won it, but it was mos def Dungy’s team. That will always be a black cloud over him until he does it again.

09.04.08 at 2:48 pm

David D.

Saints. End Story. It’s a wrap.

09.04.08 at 2:49 pm

Tru School

@ California Soul

Whatcha think about Josh Morgan. I keep hearing about how well he’s doing in pre-season, and how the coaching staff loves him. I put him on my fantasy bench is why I’m interested.

09.04.08 at 2:51 pm

Tru School

Speaking of sleepers. Besides the 49’ers I’ve also heard whispers of the Texans doing some things this year. Supposedly Schaub is as advertised, and he’s got weapons. Not to mention their defense might be the best weapon they have.

09.04.08 at 4:01 pm

Uknowho

Hey bye bye Daunte Culpepper, always loved his ass!

09.04.08 at 4:17 pm

MEFDOC

It’s gonna be awesome to watch the Patriots go 37-1 over a 2 year span. That is some shit that will never be matched. We got a cake schedule and the best offense in the game. The rookies on D look ready to go. I can’t wait for the playoffs.

09.04.08 at 5:41 pm

E

t minus 1 hour and 19 minutes….

09.04.08 at 7:01 pm

T DOT

HOW ‘BOUT THEM COWBOYSSSSS!!!!!!!!

*goes back to watching CFL*

09.04.08 at 7:10 pm

CaliforniaSoul

@ Tru School

By the way that is my online madden name. Yes Josh Morgan looked good in preseason and in training camp. Got to see them practice a few times. He is good and will get run in a 4 wide set, he wont start over hill plus you can put V Davis in a 4 wide set too, he will kill any linebacker. I think depending on how Bryant does will determine how much run he gets. With Mike Martz offense, gore, our young plus veteran wr crew and JTO who knows the offense from being with Martz in detroit. You will see a glimpse of that Vintage Rams (and boy do I hate the rams) offense with purse offense and scoring. But the BIG diff is we have defense and dont sleep on our special teams.

Cali49a, every day all day.

09.04.08 at 7:14 pm

CaliforniaSoul

Yea I am thinking the Texans and Browns both will make some noise. Even thought they may not win a lot of games, I think the fins will be a fun team to watch. The BIG tuna and the phins, could be a match made in heaven for Dolphin fans!! Aiiight im out, time to watch this game. Its the first drive and Plex is serving Rogers, deezaaam hurt ankle and all. Not looking good on D Skin fans!!!

Every day all day CA!!

09.04.08 at 7:20 pm

E

nfl.com added a chat within the live scoing this year, thats pretty dope. now i can clown u all as im kickin ur sorry asses.

09.04.08 at 10:10 pm

Big Fonz

Dolphins all the way baby!!!!!!!!

09.04.08 at 10:30 pm

Thugnificence

idunno who’s gonna win in the nfl but pacmans rainmakers will be champs in TSS fantasy football…bet dat!

03.26.09 at 6:26 am

Giants Osi Umenyiora Authentic Jerseys

I am a Giants fan from Argentina. Very nice Giants information.
I miss the days of Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms.
I hope to be in Chicago for a game this fall.